Park hosts Civil War event Thursday

Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, a reenactment corps, will be making a special visit to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park from noon to 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Members of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, a reenactment corps, will be making a special visit to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park from noon to 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The visit is part of the park's "Call to Arms," a day to explore the Civil War. They will share the story of this all-black Civil War regiment and its New Bedford connection, and hold a weapons "drill and dress-up" for students or other interested participants. The Call to Arms event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to people of all ages. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is located at 33 William St., downtown New Bedford.

In addition to the Mass. 54th Regiment's activities, the park will feature other Civil War activities to mark the sesquicentennial. All of the national park activities will take place at the national park visitor center at 33 William St. in downtown New Bedford.

The day will start at 10 a.m. with "Join the Ranks": participants will get their enlistment papers, learn about uniforms, arms, and inspecting the troops. At 11 a.m., make a Civil War coat of arms. At noon, learn about camp life. How did people do laundry in the days before washing machines? Make slippers to wear just like Civil War soldiers did, and join the sing-along of Civil War songs. At 2:00 p.m., meet Dr. Saw Bones, who will be "dressing wounds—- of the "injured." At 3 p.m., learn how members of the Underground Railroad and soldiers were able to send secret messages using Morse and other secret codes. At 4 p.m., receive your discharge papers from the Army.